Make Fizzy Soda!
Make homemade fizzy soda by mixing simple syrup, citrus juice, and carbonated water, experimenting with flavors and measuring ingredients safely with adult supervision.
Step-by-step guide to make fizzy soda
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water so everything stays clean.
Step 2
Gather all the materials on a clear table so you can reach everything easily.
Step 3
Ask an adult to heat 1/2 cup of water until it is hot and safe for them to handle.
Step 4
Put 1/2 cup of granulated sugar into a heatproof jar or small saucepan.
Step 5
With the adult’s help, carefully pour the hot water over the sugar.
Step 6
Stir the sugar and hot water until the sugar disappears and the syrup looks clear.
Step 7
Let the simple syrup cool until it is safe to touch.
Step 8
Squeeze a lemon or lime into a measuring cup until you have 2 tablespoons of juice.
Step 9
Pour 2 tablespoons of the cooled simple syrup into a clean glass.
Step 10
Pour 2 tablespoons of the citrus juice into the same glass.
Step 11
Slowly pour about 3/4 cup of carbonated water into the glass to keep the fizz.
Step 12
Stir the drink gently one time with your spoon to mix the flavors.
Step 13
Taste your soda to see if you want it sweeter or tangier and remember ideas for next time.
Step 14
Share your finished fizzy soda creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have granulated sugar or carbonated water?
If you don't have 1/2 cup granulated sugar, use 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup mixed into warm (not boiling) water instead of heating sugar, and if you lack carbonated water, substitute 3/4 cup chilled club soda or lemon-lime soda to keep the fizz.
My simple syrup still looks grainy or my soda went flat—what should I do?
If the syrup looks grainy, carefully reheat with an adult in the heatproof jar or small saucepan and stir until the sugar disappears and the syrup looks clear, and if the drink goes flat, pour the 3/4 cup carbonated water slowly down the side of the glass and stir the drink gently only one time as the instructions say.
How can I adapt the steps for different ages?
For ages 3–5 have an adult do the hot-water and pouring steps while the child helps wash hands and stir gently one time, for ages 6–9 let them measure the 1/2 cup sugar and squeeze the citrus with supervision, and ages 10+ can help heat the water with an adult and experiment with different juice amounts before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we personalize or extend the fizzy soda activity?
To personalize, stir 1/2 teaspoon of finely chopped mint or a drop of vanilla into the cooled simple syrup before you pour 2 tablespoons into the glass, or freeze small lemon slices in ice cubes so your 3/4 cup of carbonated water stays fizzy longer and looks pretty.
Watch videos on how to make fizzy soda
DIY Carbonated Water - Make Your Own Soda At Home
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DIY Carbonated Water - Make Your Own Soda At Home
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Making a Fountain of Soda! | Summer Experiments | SciShow Kids
Facts about kitchen science for kids
❄️ Colder liquids hold more dissolved gas, so chilled soda stays fizzy longer than warm soda.
🥤 Fizzy drinks get their bubbles from dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) that pops out when pressure is released.
🍋 Lemon and lime juice add citric acid, which brightens flavors and balances sweetness in sodas.
🍭 Simple syrup is just sugar dissolved in water — it blends into cold drinks much better than granulated sugar.
🎈 The tingly fizz you feel comes from CO₂ stimulating tiny nerve endings in your mouth, not just your taste buds.
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